Retail group Dixons Carphone is launching its search for its first legal panel following the £3.6bn merger of the two legacy businesses Dixons and Carphone Warehouse (CPW) in 2014.

A spokesperson for the company said the panel would "formalise external relationships".

The panel appointment process will be led by general counsel Nigel Paterson. He stepped into the role of GC and company secretary in April on joining Dixons Carphone from BT where he was GC for nearly two years.

Previously, the GCs of Dixons and CPW – Helen Grantham and Tim Morris respectively – jointly headed the newly merged company's legal team. Grantham and Morris have left the business since stepping down from their joint-GC roles earlier this year.

Dixons has previously turned to Pinsent Masons, DLA Piper, Baker & McKenzie and Linklaters for advice.

Carphone Warehouse has looked to Osborne Clarke and Ashurst for advice in the past.

The companies' 2014 merger saw a host of firms win mandates, including Linklaters, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Osborne Clarke.

Linklaters advised Dixons on the deal.

Osborne Clarke acted for CPW, working alongside the company's in-house legal team then led by Morris.

Freshfields advised CPW on the financing aspects of the deal.